Knicks' Smith banned five games for drug violation

6 September 2013

New York Knicks' J.R. Smith leaps as he shoots and is fouled by Indiana Pacers' Sam Young (bottom C), as Pacers' David West (L) watches, with less than one second remaining in the first half in Game 5 of their NBA Eastern Conference playoff basketball series in New York May 16, 2013. REUTERS/Mike Segar/Files

REUTERS - York Knicks guard J.R. Smith has been suspended for five games for violating the National Basketball Association's (NBA) anti-drug program, the league said on Friday.

Smith, who won the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year award last season for his play off the bench, is recovering from offseason knee surgery and may not be fit for his team's season opener on October 30.

His suspension will begin with the first game of the 2013-14 NBA season for which he is eligible and physically able to play, the league said in a statement.

Taken with the 18th overall pick by New Orleans in the 2004 draft, Smith recorded career-highs in points (18.1) and rebounds (5.3) last season.